The ban on live coverage
came after television stations showed horrific images of the police force's high-handedness in arresting opposition
politicians on the first day of the demonstrations. Footage of the police
firing teargas canisters into homes, schools, and hospitals, was also shown.

Security forces
prevented journalists reporting from the scene from approaching some opposition
figures who had been arrested, and several reporters were roughed up. At least eight
reporters were injured
during the demonstrations: Ali Mabule and Dismus Buregyeya of the daily New Vision, Francis Mukasa of WBS TV,
Ronald Muyinda of Radio One, Michael Kakumirizi and Stuart Iga of The Red Pepper, Yunusu Ntale of CBS
Radio FM, and Isa Aliga of Nation TV.

As the police
battled peaceful demonstrators, and the army intervened in what was one of the
most brutal crackdowns on peaceful protests the country has seen, the state-run
Uganda Communication Commission (UCC)
blocked
Facebook and Twitter for several hours.

The UCC first
denied knowledge of Facebook and Twitter being blocked. However, a letter
confirming UCC's directive was later leaked to the public. "We have received a
request from the security agencies that there is a need to minimize the use of
media that may escalate violence to the public in respect of the ongoing
situation due to the demonstration relating to 'walk to work,' mainly by
opposition in the country," read an April
14 letter signed by Quinto
Ojok, acting executive director of the UCC.

"As a stakeholder
that has communication infrastructures that host media such as Facebook and
Tweeter, the commission wishes to request for your indulgence in this matter,"
the letter went on. "You are therefore instructed to block the use of Facebook
and Tweeter for 24 hours as of now that is; 14th April, 2011 at 3.30
p.m. to eliminate the connection and sharing of information that incites the
public."

Facebook and
Twitter were instrumental in relaying news of this year's February general elections.
Millions accessed updates regarding violence,
vote counts, winners/losers throughout the country, and reporters continue to
use these social websites.

In Uganda, the news
media has become a soft target for government when the police and army
mismanage a situation. In 2009, at the height of the Buganda
riots, the country's largest radio broadcaster, CBS, was shut down for more
than a year for what the government says was inciting violence. Three other
radio stations were also subsequently closed.

The media industry
is not one that President
Yoweri Museveni has warmed up to. Museveni struggles to see any good in it,
and he constantly blames the media for frustrating his investors. In a Sunday press conference in his
home village of Rwakitura, west of Uganda's capital, Kampala, Museveni was
quick to blame the Walk to Work protests on the news media.

"Why do you give
updates on the demonstrations that Besigye is now here, is doing this or that?"
Museveni said, referring to opposition leader Kizza Besigye. "If you are
balanced, also give updates that Museveni is meeting investors at his home,
he's planting potatoes, now he has moved to check on his cattle ... "

In many
instances, Museveni has threatened to close critical media houses. Already, some
laws have been passed that target the media. The Anti Terrorism
law has elements that could link journalists to terrorism if they give coverage
to rebels.

The Phone
Tapping law also allows government to eavesdrop on calls, making it
difficult for journalists to hide their sources. If plans
to amend the press and journalists statute
come to pass, the government will have stringent new rules with which to muzzle
the press.

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